Substitutions questioned after Chelsea’s costly collapse

By Martin Graham

Chelsea has thrown away more home points from advantaged positions than any other Premier League side this campaign. The pattern frustrates Enzo Maresca, who accepts the issue is “not random” and insists he must “understand why” the team repeatedly loses momentum once conceding.

The side generally begins quickly at Stamford Bridge, breaking the deadlock in eight of their previous nine league fixtures on home turf. However, 11 points have slipped away after holding advantages there, adding to 13 dropped points overall. That number alone is equivalent to the current distance between Chelsea and the top spot.

Their recent 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa forced a shift in Maresca’s approach. Substitute Ollie Watkins overturned the scoreline with a brace, stretching the gap between the clubs to ten points. The result left the manager determined to address how his team responds when matches begin to turn.

Ahead of Bournemouth’s arrival on Tuesday, Maresca acknowledged the recurring theme: after setbacks in matches, the squad “loses a little bit of control” and struggles to regain rhythm, no matter the scoreline at the time.

Youth vs experience: does the bench cost them?

In the Villa defeat, Unai Emery’s changes proved decisive. Villa’s entrants – Watkins, Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, Lucas Digne, and Lamare Bogarde – averaged more than 26 years of age. By contrast, Chelsea’s four bench additions averaged under 21, including Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Malo Gusto.

Cole Palmer reacted angrily to his withdrawal for Estevao, while Marc Cucurella was removed due to a suspected hamstring concern. Maresca’s reaction to questions on the subject remained cautious, brushing aside the idea that substitutions alone are responsible.

There have been similar criticisms in defeats against Manchester United and Brighton, where Chelsea were reduced to 10 men, and even after the Champions League loss to Atalanta, when Charles De Ketelaere claimed Chelsea “drop” late on. The discourse now centres on whether the bench lacks readiness or whether rotation choices are holding them back.

Estevao’s output – five goals and one assist – contrasts sharply with Delap’s single strike and Gittens’ one goal and five assists, showing flashes rather than consistency. Maresca believes development and game management will improve “game after game.”

Early changes, little effect

Chelsea’s first substitutions come earlier than almost everyone else’s, often at or shortly after the interval. Yet the impact remains minimal: only three goals and one assist have come from replacements in league competition this season.

With a starting group averaging 24 years and 219 days, and substitutes averaging 21 years and 349 days, Chelsea fields not only the youngest starting group but also the youngest bench in the competition. Their reliance on emerging talent is a deliberate squad-building approach, but results remain uneven.

Rotation has also produced mixed results. Heavy adjustments against Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Cardiff required trusted stars to rescue outcomes, while figures such as Andrey Santos are still deemed below the level of Moises Caicedo and other starters.

Targets, tension and ongoing challenges

Maresca recently distanced himself from comments perceived as frustration with club backing following losses to Leeds and Atalanta. He maintains that he is meeting expectations given the squad profile and that Champions League qualification via league placement remains the baseline objective.

Chelsea have now fallen below Liverpool into fifth and sit just seven points clear of Bournemouth in 15th. Home form is faltering, with three league defeats there already – matching last season’s entire total. They are yet to secure consecutive home wins.

Injuries complicate matters further. Cucurella may miss time, Jorrel Hato remains sidelined, and Palmer and Reece James require evaluation. Wesley Fofana, however, is available after being rested.

Despite setbacks, Maresca argues the most recent Villa result does not reflect a genuine ten-point gulf. He insists belief must be maintained, adding that Chelsea must stay “confident” in their ability to close the gap on clubs ahead.